POLITENESS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does politeness mean? 

• POLITENESS (noun)
  The noun POLITENESS has 2 senses:

1. a courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

2. the act of showing regard for others

  Familiarity information: POLITENESS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• POLITENESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A courteous manner that respects accepted social usage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

niceness; politeness

Hypernyms ("politeness" is a kind of...):

courtesy; good manners (a courteous manner)

Attribute:

polite (showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.)

impolite (not polite)

Antonym:

impoliteness (a discourteous manner that ignores accepted social usage)

Derivation:

polite (not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of showing regard for others

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

civility; politeness

Hypernyms ("politeness" is a kind of...):

action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "politeness"):

courtesy (a courteous or respectful or considerate act)

deference; respect (a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard)

devoir (formal expression of respect)

Derivation:

polite (showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.)

 Context examples 

“Mr. Darcy is all politeness,” said Elizabeth, smiling.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

She was right; in a few minutes he appeared, and, making his way through the then thinning rows, spoke with like calm politeness to Mrs. Allen and her friend.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

This is a matter of mere common politeness and good-breeding, and has nothing to do with any encouragement to people to marry.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Your wife has a claim to your politeness, to your respect, at least.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I will not oppose such kind politeness; but I should be sorry to be examined by a real proficient.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Of course this politeness was wasted on the Scarecrow; for when he found himself alone in his room he stood stupidly in one spot, just within the doorway, to wait till morning.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

What you say is very well founded; and my impatience has shown its heels to my politeness.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

We acknowledged his politeness, and made suitable replies.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Yes; he said that from mere politeness: I need not go, I am sure," I answered.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

You are getting on faster than you think, and I'll take lessons of you in true politeness, for you've learned the secret, I believe.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)